For months, she stoically observed the goings on in the studio with nary a peep out of her painted lips. From her vantage point atop the display case, she could see other characters and projects taking shape. She watched as new talent was brought in for the American Drama Series, including child stars for a stop-motion animated movie about the 2016 election, which seems like it’s been in production forever. It’s been hard for her stand in the sidelines as a whole new cast of characters acts out her preferred genre – political satire.

Also in the works is a new children’s book about beds around the world (to be published in 2020), which makes Polly think about travel even more!

But, Polly’s patience has been rewarded and she will be going back to Ireland, which she enjoyed visiting in 2013. Despite the last minute decision to travel, she was able to put together a new wardrobe for the trip. A fisherman’s knit sweater was the obvious choice!

First, she had a new plaid skirt fitted. Then it was time to “faux knit” the sweater, using off-white wool felt and tapestry yarn.

Polly prefers a button down style, so she doesn’t muss up her hair pulling the sweater over her head.

A little tam with a pom pom completes the look.

I think Polly will be prepared for all kinds of Irish weather. She looks forward to posing in her new outfit and sharing photos of the trip.

Polly just returned from a fascinating trip to the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador. She dressed in an outfit suitable for a Charles Darwin expedition in the 1830’s. The excessive heat and humidity were a challenge in her long skirt, but at least she didn’t have to put sun screen on her wooden face. In this photo, you can barely make out the piles of sun bathing sea iguanas on the black volcanic rocks. A brown baby sea lion nestled in the rocks and slept through the photo session, while another looked on from the water’s edge.

Having nothing to fear, the animals were oblivious to humans. We were told that they don’t sleep close together because of affection, but to keep themselves warm. Polly took along a collection bag and straw hat for protection from the equatorial sun.

This is as close as she got to some land iguanas.

She hiked up to a high lookout on one of the islands…

and climbed cactus plants.

The giant tortoises were impressively old and slow.

While the Sally Lightfoot crabs were gaudy and fast.

This young sea lion slumbered on a bench. Polly resisted the temptation to tickle its whiskers.

Polly got a kick out of posing in front a photo collage of Charles Darwin, who was in his 20’s when he visited the Galapagos Islands in 1831. His theory of evolution, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, based mainly on his observations there was published in 1859. More photos of the trip, with closeups of the animals go here.

It’s time we caught up with Polly Doll about the second part of her trip west. In early November she met up with her cousins in Salt Lake City and then headed to their cabin in southern Utah. From there she drove through the countryside and visited Kodachrome National Park (above video) and Brice Canyon National Park. The scenery was so spectacular that she could hardly believe her eyes! The Fall palette featured her favorite color combination, green and orange, with lots of subtle variations in between.

Polly really enjoyed the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City. She got up close to some gems, plaster animals and old bones. She’s looking forward to her next trip this winter, where she’s hoping to meet some real live animals up close!

While Polly is away, let’s take this opportunity to review her previous traveling outfits and adventures. As you can see in the following photos, Polly doesn’t mind posing in front of the camera. Dressing appropriately is her first priority. She is sure to share her experiences in Oregon and Utah when she returns. In the meantime, check out Polly’s travelogue on Instagram and Facebook. See if you can pick out where she’s been. Answers are at the bottom of this post.

Polly will be traveling again! We’re heading west to visit my sister in Portland, Oregon and my cousins in Utah. During a visit a few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting several blog followers at a talk/book signing in Portland, so I thought it would be nice to arrange another event while we’re in town. This time, I will talk briefly about my work and sign books on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm atA Children’s Place.

Polly needed a new outfit for the trip, of course. She decided on a colorful cotton batik skirt and turquoise top to compliment her favorite red vest. She’s always had a weakness for western attire, so I made a custom cowgirl hat.

Polly is excited to be traveling west, across the whole continent and looks forward to sharing her adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

About a week before we drove up to Prince Edward Island, I remembered that Polly would need a new outfit for the trip. At first, I was blind to the obvious, but within a few minutes, her new persona became as clear as day. With her red braids, there was only one choice — Anne of Green Gables! So, I quickly made her a pinafore and straw hat.

I must admit that I hadn’t read L.M. Montgomery‘s books until fairly recently. If I’d had daughters and/or a TV in our home, I probably would have read the stories to them and watched the PBS series. But, the wonderfully written books were enough to make my middle-aged self fall in love with the spunky character of Anne Shirley.

Polly loved the PEI coast, with its red sand. She compared antique tractors, horse teams and geese at the Dundas Plowing Match, a local agricultural fair.

She had dinner at Mavor’s in Charlottetown and learned about my cousin, the restaurant’s name sake, Mavor Moore, who was a well know Canadian writer, producer, actor, public servant, critic, and educator.